…that we all know is certain, yet the way we live might say otherwise. I’m talking about the day when “death do us part”.

Why this topic? Why today? Because we received a text this morning telling us that a dear friend passed away last night at 9:15p. We recently heard that he had been diagnosed with a terminal illness. He only found out himself on Labor Day, and yesterday was his last day in this life. He was surrounded by his wife and grown children, a comfort indeed. He was at peace knowing where he was going, but still saying goodbye is hard. He was 63.

This is our friend’s first day in heaven, and his wife’s first day without him.

We are sad for the changes, but grateful for the hope we’ve been given. For those of us who recognize our need for a Savior, death no longer has a sting. Instead, death is a gateway to all the promises Christ has secured for us.

For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:
“Death is swallowed up in victory.”
“O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?” – 1 Corinthians 15:53-54 ESV

This is what we believe. This is the Truth, and one day every knee will bow and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. This is why we are passionate about marriages becoming all God intends, because it reflects Him and His love for the church. We live to glorify God in every way possible, even though we walk through the valley of shadows, we are not afraid. Christ is with us. He knows us. And He is leading us safely home.

To offer comfort to this grieving family, another friend shared a video with them. It’s a song titled, Though He Slay Me, by Shane and Shane, and it speaks volumes as to where we must fix our eyes when we are faced with trials on every side. May it comfort those of you who may be facing similar heartaches and losses.

If you don’t know Christ, this post probably sounds incredibly foolish to you. But it is more real than anything else in this life. God is alive, and His purposes are being accomplished in and through us everyday. We pray that you will come to know Christ as your personal Savior. He is the reason we do what we do, and when all is said and done–He is all that matters!